Explora Journeys: What’s onboard luxury ship EXPLORA I?

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to holiday on a ship that feels more like a boutique hotel than a cruise, EXPLORA I is pretty much the blueprint. Explora Journeys’ first ocean-going beauty has been designed as a floating sanctuary – all soft lighting, serene suites and restaurants that wouldn’t look out of place in a stylish corner of Milan.

From mornings spent with an espresso on your private terrace to evenings drifting between cocktail lounges and candlelit dining, everything on board is about slowing down and sinking into that ocean-state-of-mind.

Here’s a look at what you can expect when you step aboard.

Cabins Dining Entertainment Wellness Destinations

Explora Journeys: EXPLORA I cabins

EXPLORA I is home to 461 ocean-front suites, penthouses and residences as well as the most prestigious address onboard the Owner’s Residence.

EXPLORA I Ocean Suites

Ocean Terrace Suites

Ocean Terrace Suites are among the most spacious introductory suites available and boast expansive floor-to-ceiling windows and a personal sun terrace, so guests can experience an intimate connection with the ocean throughout their voyage.

These suites also feature King-sized beds, refined lounging spaces, a personal refrigerated mini-bar that is restocked based on guests’ desires, an espresso machine (with bio-degradable pods), as well as a kettle and teapot complete with an assortment of complimentary coffees and teas. Additionally, these accommodations showcase roomy walk-in closets with a seated vanity section. Meanwhile, spacious bathrooms benefit from a walk-in shower and heated floors.

Guests on Explora Journeys cruises will also benefit from: an in-suite welcome bottle of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label, a complimentary personal refillable water bottle for each guest, a pair of binoculars for guests’ use during their journey, fine bed linens, bathrobes and bath linens from Frette, an extensive pillow selection, Custom bath toiletries and amenities and a Dyson Supersonic TM hairdryer plus an illuminated make-up/shaving mirror.

Explora Journeys: EXPLORA I dining

Anthology

Anthology is EXPLORA I’s signature fine-dining experience and showcases refined Italian cuisine crafted by Explora Journeys’ Head of Culinary, Franck Garanger. The menu is a celebration of Italy’s regional flavours, drawing on ingredients and traditions from Piedmont’s truffle-rich north to the vibrant culinary heritage of the south.

Garanger describes the concept as “sharing the soul of Italy, one dish at a time,” with each plate designed to highlight authentic techniques and exceptional local produce.

Emporium Marketplace

Emporium Marketplace is an all-day dining restaurant which focuses on quality produce, inspired by local destinations, and a place where guests have complete flexibility over when and what they eat as multiple separate cooking stations evolve throughout the day from sushi and daily rotisserie offering grilled, roasted, and slow-cooked meats to pasta cooked to order and freshly baked pizzas and bread.

Fresh juices, smoothies and acai bowls are provided during breakfast and a selection of wines, champagne and beverages are available throughout the day.

Marble & Co. Grill

Marble & Co. Grill serves excellent beef cuts, personally sourced and sustainably farmed in a redefined European steakhouse experience. Guests can enjoy soft lighting and relaxed, attentive service. There’s even an in-house dry ager and a cellar boasting an excellent selection of fine wines.

Med Yacht Club

Med Yacht Club [below], both relaxed and convivial, is inspired by authentic Mediterranean dining, uniting tastes and textures from across Italy, Spain, Greece, France and North Africa – as well as incorporating plant-based and vegetarian ingredients. Expect sharing plates and wines from the excellent vineyards of the Mediterranean.

Fil Rouge

Fil Rouge [below, left] is a chic and intimate restaurant providing a global tasting tour of French-inspired international cuisine. An elegant dessert cart which serves sweet treats tableside, and a wonderful wine selection showcases the best of both the Old and New World vineyards.

Sakura

Sakura [below, right] offers authentic Pan-Asian cuisine comprising Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Malaysian dishes and Asian-influenced beverages – including a curated selection of sakes and shōchūs plus a Sake sommelier, expansive ocean views and modern Asian music. Searing is both indoors and al fresco.

Chef’s Kitchen

The Chef’s Kitchen is a private dining and culinary school held in an ocean-front private kitchen setting for 12 guests; learn about new ingredients, flavours, textures and cultures, regardless of your cooking skill level. An exclusive experience fee applies

Crema Café

Crema Café, inspired by European café culture, is home to a comfy lounge seating team with impressive ocean views. It offers an all-day menu of coffees, loose-leaf teas, and cold-pressed juices alongside a selection of pastries, cakes and treats.

Gelateria & Creperie at The Conservatory

Gelateria & Creperie at The Conservatory does what it says on the tin, serving crepes and gelato poolside all day in glass-roofed venue The Conservatory.

Explora Lounge

Explora Lounge offers informal drinking and dining against a fabulous ocean backdrop. Guess can sup on light meals, snacks and traditional afternoon tea as well as inventive modern cocktails, barista-made coffees, loose-leaf teas, smoothies, and fresh pressed juices.

In-Suite Dining

Available 24 hours, Explora Journeys cruise line passengers can enjoy tuck into an array of cuisines at any time in the comfort of their suite or private terrace.

Explora Journeys: EXPLORA I entertainment

You might well return from your Explora Journey cruise with a new skill. Enriching activities range from photography and songwriting, improvisation and music composition classes to whisky tastings, and theatre and cinema talks from resident artists plus book club and dance sessions.

Meanwhile, wellbeing is taken care of with sundial salutations, ocean meditations and sunset aperitifs.

Music brings this Explora Journeys ship alive across multiple venues throughout the day, from midday melodies in the lounge to candlelit evenings and jazz nights.

Why not while away an afternoon with some retail therapy? Rolex, Cartier, Panerai and Piaget are among the coveted brands on sale in EXPLORA I’s shops.

Explora Journeys: EXPLORA I Wellness

Your fitness is well and truly taken care of onboard Explora Journeys cruises. The Fitness Centre is home to different areas for cardio, strength, and functional training complete with high-end cardio equipment from the Technogym Artis Line.

The Fitness Studio offers Pilates Reformers classes and yoga classes while the Fitness Deck features Skillrow machines, Group Cycle bikes, a running track and a sports court for touch tennis, half basketball, or yoga ritual experiences.

Thanks to the Technogym virtual coach you can also enjoy in-suite fitness on your Explora Journeys ship.

Reward your efforts, or simply indulge in some TLC, with a trip to the spa. Here you’ll find: a steam room, steam shower (in private spa suites), hydrotherapy pool, Finnish sauna, salt cave, experience shower, ice fall, heated marble loungers and a relaxation room. Treatments range from massages and facials to body scrubs and more.

The salon offers gentleman’s grooming plus hair care, manicure and hand treatments plus pedicure and foot care. There’s also the option of in-suite beauty services.

Explora Journeys: EXPLORA I Destinations

Explora Journeys cruises to the following destinations with a range of carefully curated shore experiences offered in different ports of call:

Mediterranean & Western Europe
Caribbean & Central America
Northern Europe, United Kingdom & Ireland
Iceland & Greenland
US & Canada East Coast & New England
US & Canada Pacific Coast & Hawaii
Africa & Indian Ocean
Red Sea, Arabian Peninsula & India